Please or to access all these features

Sponsored threads

This topic is for sponsored discussions. If you'd like to run one with us, please email [email protected].

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Nurofen for Children want to hear how your life has changed in unexpected ways since having your DC - £300 voucher prize draw! NOW CLOSED

297 replies

MichelleMumsnet · 09/11/2015 16:14

Nurofen for Children have asked us to find out how Mumsnetters’ lives have changed since having children.

Here’s what they say, “It’s no surprise that 88% of first time mums reflect on having a baby as a life changing experience as they rework their normal routines to take care of their little one. During their baby’s first year, over two thirds of mums say they felt the biggest impacts on their relationships (65%), work life (65%) and friendships (55%).i

“Almost half of those questioned describe the first year as full of love and amazement.i during the early months in particular, 29% say they struggled with feelings of loneliness and over half (52%) felt that they had lost their identity since becoming a mum.i After friendships changed, 52% say they felt a need to make a new group of friends who could relate to their parenting experiences.”

“Nurofen for Children is trusted by parents – 9/10 parents who used it would recommend it to a friend.iii

“Nurofen for Children understands how daunting it can be going through so many changes, especially in the early months of parenthood. To help you through this life changing but magical period, you need advice you can trust and products you can rely on.”

So, what changes have you experienced since having children which you perhaps hadn’t quite anticipated? Perhaps you actually all of a sudden become a lot more efficient at doing things? Have you uncovered a hidden talent and become an expert fancy dress designer and creator? Or maybe you didn’t appreciate how it would now take you three times so long to get ready in the morning? Whatever it is, we’d love to hear it!

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks
MNHQ

Terms and conditions:

  • To enter the competition answer the question above
  • To enter, you must be: A) A UK resident; and b) 18 years old or over at the time of entry and c) a registered member of Mumsnet
  • Competition closes at midnight on Thursday 26th November 2015
  • Entries posted after the closing date will not be considered
  • One winner will be chosen from all winning entries
  • Mumsnet will choose the winner at random after the closing date
  • Mumsnet will contac the winner privately to organise delivery of the prize
  • The prize is £300 Love2Shop vouchers
  • Full terms and conditions here

Nurofen for Children 3 months to 9 years Orange / Strawberry. Nurofen for Children Orange / Strawberry 3 months to 12 years (weighing over 5kg). Contains Ibuprofen. For relief of fever. Always read the label.

iSurvey of 2,000 mums by One Poll, commissioned by Nurofen for Children (October 2013)
iiSurvey of 2,000 parents with a baby under 6 years old, commissioned by Nurofen for Children (May 2014)
iiiSurvey of Mum’s Views of 141 mums ‘9 out of 10 mums who used NfC would recommend it to a friend’. Last accessed August 2013.

OP posts:
MagicAlwaysLeadsToTrouble · 17/11/2015 18:54

I agree with a lot of the previous posters, becoming a mother has made me incredibly efficient!

I can get A LOT done in Naptime!! I tend to whiz around in the first 20 minutes, do as many jobs as possible and then the rest of Naptime is mine!!

I have also developed an ability to quash my fear of spiders out of a duty to ensure my children are not frightened! Though inside my head I'm still screaming!

Tonkatol · 17/11/2015 18:56

I had three children born in July 1995, August 1997 and August 1999. All seemed fine - they were planned and I fell immediately with all three. My life did change enormously, but that was to be expected with three children. One thing that did surprise me was my ability to make and decorate cakes - I had never considered myself at all artistic but, with four birthday cakes within a month, I learned to bake. I have had requests from various friends to bake them birthday cakes and have been told to make cakes professionally, but that is not something I would want to do - the cakes I make are labours of love for just a few people.

The other unexpected change in my life came after we decided to add to our family. In October 2003, as soon as we had tried, I fell pregnant with our fourth child. All seemed ok, I was experiencing horrendous tiredness and severe sickness, just as I had with the others. I had a scan at 6 weeks and everything was progressing ok, although the baby was measuring slightly small for the dates. As I was older this time, my husband and I had decided we would have the nuchal fold scan, to make sure the baby was ok. I was booked in for an ultrasound at 11 weeks (by my dates) just to make sure of the dates. I went to this scan alone - my husband would be coming to the nuchal fold scan and this was just a quick dating scan so I didn't want him to take the day off work. This scan was different to all the other scans I had had - the sonographer was very quiet and then said that she was going to use an internal probe - immediately I knew something was wrong - I had never needed this before. The sonographer used the internal probe, and I asked what was wrong; she was reluctant to say anything but it turned out that I had had a "missed miscarriage" - the baby had probably died soon after the first scan, but my body hadn't naturally miscarried. I ended up having surgery to remove the fetus.

My husband and I were shocked by this event - up until then, we had decided to have a baby, had planned when was a good time and everything had happened easily. We knew all the facts about the number of pregnancies that end in miscarriage and all the other problems, but that happened to other people, not to us.

We decided to think before trying for another baby - we tried and I fell pregnant in June 2005, but miscarried in the August. We tried again and I fell pregnant late in 2005 and gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby daughter in August 2006.

I think it is fair to say that this was the way in which my life changed the most and unexpectedly. Whilst I had always had sympathy for those who had difficulty or were unable to get pregnant, losing two babies made me realise just how cruel nature can be. It also made me realise that I didn't need all the tests when pregnant - even if I had been told there was a high chance of there being a problem with my baby, I would never have not gone through with the pregnancy; a baby's life is too precious.

Lauren1983 · 17/11/2015 19:07

I have developed a love of cbeebies - I often find myself watching the shows when my DD is in bed asleep!

Mariecozens1 · 17/11/2015 20:00

How different they can be! My two year old daughter is a total nightmare compared to my son when he was two

kathcake · 17/11/2015 21:23

I never knew how I could manage so many jobs at one time until now !

GetKnitted · 17/11/2015 22:49

what changes have you experienced since having children which you perhaps hadn’t quite anticipated?

I didn't expect to have to relearn my times tables (or that I would have forgotten them!!)

SunflowerWishes · 17/11/2015 23:38

My entertainment tastes have changed. Films and series I used to love now seem too brutal and aren't enjoyable. I miss liking them but at the same time I wouldn't want to anymore!

tiddles12 · 18/11/2015 00:56

It has taught me patience, how to let stuff wash over me and how to handle difficult people and conflict resolution! Ideal for my role as A&E manager!

nonblonde · 18/11/2015 00:59

everything changes. from your sleep pattens, sex life, they watch everything you do listen to everything you say, no money, not a good social life and i cant have nothing nice as my daughter pinches it for herself. but i wouldnt change it for a thing as it the way it should be as my 3 children are my life and i live to love and serve them.

andywedge · 18/11/2015 01:04

I can watch kids TV again without feeling guilty or that I shouldn't. I can answer anything about TMNT again. it's ace.

djc7869 · 18/11/2015 02:24

Never thing I would end up home schooling my two children after finding it difficult to fine a place for them in their local school.

steviestarship · 18/11/2015 05:43

My life is a military operation on a daily basis!
Have to drop the kids off at this time, pick them up at that time, have to make sure such and such is packed in their bags etc.
I don't mind this in the slightest because they bring me such joy and things that used to bother me before (work stress) don't seem that important any more.

ThemisA · 18/11/2015 06:03

The positives-the love I feel, the fun and laughter, the amazing things they think and say, the selflessness I didn't know I had, learning new things, challenging my re-conceived ideas

The negatives - exhaustion, not enough time to do everything, worry/fear

Laineyflo · 18/11/2015 06:35

My ideal evening in is at home with my family, relaxing! I can survive on very little sleep and still help my DD with her Maths homework. My fingernails are NEVER long anymore, I know all the names of everyone on CBeebies! I wouldn't change it for the world though!

janeyf1 · 18/11/2015 06:48

It feels like living another life entirely. Different home, routines, less me-time, less sleep but lots of emotions wonderful and bad

edoody · 18/11/2015 07:03

Making me far more active that's for sure, I dropped 4 dress sizes after the birth!
Going to the toilet with either the toilet door open or with an audience is a regular occurrence in our house. Privacy? What privacy?
Learning I am actually very good at multi-tasking and the art of preparation.
Giving me a focus and purpose in life and the cuddles are amazing!

hiddenmichelle · 18/11/2015 07:08

I spend about 20 less in the bathroom every day - there is no time!

cagsd · 18/11/2015 07:09

I now view staying in bed until 8am as a long lie in!

tompob · 18/11/2015 07:40

we had lots of late nights and socialised with friends and family 3/4 times a week, we were very selfish and enjoyed each others company, sleep never seemed a problem and always had undisturbed rest. Since dc1 we sleep even less, rarely have late nights with dc2/3 it seems pointless to have friends around especially those without... but we are such a great team and fantastic unit, we think alike, work tirelessly with them there boys...and our special moments are so much more special because of them

createbeauty · 18/11/2015 07:49

I used to think sleeping in until 10 was a lay in. Now a lay in is 7 AM.
I always have baby wipes on hand now.
I appreciate silence so much more now.
And I'm not quite sure what I did with my free-time before having DS....

sjl19 · 18/11/2015 07:58

I've learnt that I can actually be very organised. Getting a toddler and a baby ready and out of the house is not an easy task.

devito92 · 18/11/2015 08:01

Biggest surprise was actually finding out that I could cope being left on my own to deal with my son

glenka · 18/11/2015 08:28

I have had to learn how to cook for a lot of people all at the same time,

Ganne1 · 18/11/2015 08:36

Pride in watching them develop mentally, helping them at school, and now re-watching them on our old video cassettes

Chopstheduck · 18/11/2015 08:37

finding I didn't actually like small babies that much and they get much more interesting as they grow up!